“Hold on, sweetheart!” The popular expression shows how this organ, vital for health and life, can go through challenging situations, both emotionally and physically.
Many of them are so-called cardiovascular diseases which, among different causes and origins, are usually linked to a common character: cholesterol.
Well known by the general population, cholesterol has a reputation as a villain because it is associated with episodes of heart attacks, strokes and blocked arteries, among other serious health problems. But, according to Dr. Bruno Henrique Brait da Silva, general practitioner and cardiologist at the Hélder Polido Institute, a reference health center in São Carlos and the region, care must be taken when blaming cholesterol.
“In a way, cholesterol is essential for human health, when it is at controlled levels. This substance becomes dangerous when this natural balance is lost, and significant problems can arise”, says the expert.
According to the doctor, cholesterol is responsible for several important functions in the dynamics of the human body.
“It is a lipid, and has an important role in several physiological functions, such as the formation of cell membranes and even the production of sex hormones”, he explains.
With training from the Faculty of Medicine of USP Ribeirão Preto and the Hospital das Clínicas of UNICAMP, Dr. Bruno points out that approximately 70% of the cholesterol in our body is produced by the body itself. The rest is acquired mainly through food. And this is where things can get out of control: an unbalanced diet can influence blood cholesterol levels and contribute to the imbalance, increasing the risk of problems.
The cardiologist from São Carlos explains that cholesterol can be present in the body’s cells or also circulating through the arteries. And that’s when, when in excess, it can start to accumulate on the walls of the arteries and form the famous fatty plaques that can “clog” the blood flow and generate serious health conditions.
Is there really good cholesterol and bad cholesterol?
Dr. Bruno Brait says that this expression is a short, popular way to address some differences that really exist between types of cholesterol. The doctor explains that cholesterol is made up of different classes of lipids, and that is why these distinctions exist.
According to the professional, some of the best-known types of cholesterol are HDL, popularly called “good cholesterol” because it has a beneficial effect on the body, and LDL, which is known as “bad cholesterol” because it is linked to cardiovascular problems.
“It’s a simplification, of course, as there is even VLDL, which could also be called bad cholesterol. But it helps people understand, in a nutshell, how vascular health care works”, points out the doctor.
Assessing the HDL and LDL levels in the body is a way of understanding the dynamics of cholesterol in the patient and, if applicable, taking the necessary actions to regularize the recommended balance between them. But Dr. Bruno argues that numbers, in isolation, should not be the only factor in assessing a person’s health.
“There are many other factors that must be analyzed, from the person’s lifestyle and diet to family history and, of course, complementary exams”, he points out.
According to the Brazilian Society of Cardiology, 40% of Brazilians suffer from high cholesterol – a higher rate than in the United States, for example. In this sense, the cardiologist reaffirms the importance of maintaining a routine of visits to the doctor as a way of preventing risks and monitoring cholesterol levels. Only a professional in the field will be able to evaluate clinical and laboratory results to determine each patient’s condition, and recommend treatment, if necessary.
“Risk factors can vary greatly depending on each person’s age and health conditions. The cardiologist, supported by tests, can recommend everything from simple changes in daily habits, aiming for a healthier routine, to prescribing medications or , in more critical cases, surgical procedures”, he says.
According to the professional, carrying out check-ups and monitoring blood health is one of the main ways to avoid major problems with cholesterol, as obvious symptoms are not common.
“Uncontrolled cholesterol acts silently, and the problem can set in without the person noticing major changes. That’s why it’s essential to visit the doctor and carry out preventive exams frequently”, concludes the doctor.
CRM – 199089 EQR – 113977
Rua Maestro João Seppe, 900
Room 133, Medical Center Building
Jardim Paraíso, São Carlos – SP
Phone/WhatsApp: (16) 99312 5156 – (16) 3372 7163
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